Scientists: Planets larger than Jupiter could form in AGN disks
Technology
Scientists now think giant planets, bigger than Jupiter, could actually form around supermassive black holes.
These wild regions, called active galactic nuclei (AGNs), are packed with swirling gas and dust and shine brighter than their host galaxies.
Surprisingly, the cooler outer edges of these AGN disks could be the birthplace of a million planets.
Bhupendra Mishra: AGN planets resemble lava
Bhupendra Mishra, the University of Colorado Boulder researcher, explains that these planets might look like lava balls, but spotting them is tough because AGNs are so bright.
One trick scientists are considering is gravitational lensing — a way to identify hidden objects.
The team says there's a lot more to explore about how these extreme worlds come together.